Cathedral of Saint James, Jerusalem

The Cathedral of Saint James (Armenian: Սրբոց Յակոբեանց Վանք Հայոց, or Saints Jacobs Armenian Cathedral) is a 12th-century Armenian church in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, near the quarter's entry Zion Gate. The cathedral is dedicated to two Christian saints: James, son of Zebedee (James the Greater) (one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus) and James the brother of Jesus (James the Just).[1] It is located near the Church of the Holy Archangels.

Cathedral of Saint James Սրբոց Յակոբեանց Վանք Հայոց
Interior of the cathedral
Religion
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Cathedral
Status	Active
Location
Location	Armenian Quarter, Jerusalem
Geographic coordinates	31°46′28″N 35°13′44″E
Architecture
Type	Domed basilica
Style	Armenian
Completed	12th century

It is the principal church of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, also known as the Armenian Patriarchate of Sts. James.

In 1162, it was described as complete by John of Würzburg which Nurith Kenaan-Kedar uses to argue that it was built during the reign of Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem.[2]

Gallery

• 
  The entry gate to the Armenian Quarter
• 
  Entrance of the Cathedral
• 
  Closeup of metalwork at the entrance
• 
  Arches and dome from the inside
• 
  Another view of the interior
• 
  Epitaph and mural at the tomb of Patriarch Abraham, since 1192
• 
  Altar in Cathedral of St. James (1996)
• 
  St James Cathedral 1948

• Armenian stonework on the walls
• 
• 
  A khachkar
• 
  Another khachkar
• 
• 
  An Amenaprkitch-style khachkar

See also

• List of Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem
• Hethum II, King of Armenia

References

1. "St. James Cathedral". The Jerusalem Post. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
2. Kenaan-Kedar, Nurith (2015). "DECORATIVE ARCHITECTURAL SCULPTURE IN CRUSADER JERUSALEM: THE EASTERN, WESTERN, AND ARMENIAN SOURCES OF A LOCAL VISUAL CULTURE". In J. Boas, Adrian (ed.). The Crusader World. London: Routledge. p. 610.

Bibliography

• Armenian Patriarchate: official website

Further reading

• Antonius, G.; Nomico, Ch. A. (1924). "A Brief Account of the Painted tile Work in the Armenian Cathedral of St James". Jerusalem 1920-1922. London: 57–60.
• Pringle, Denys (2007). The Churches of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem: The city of Jerusalem. III. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-39038-5. (Pringle, 2007, pp. 168-182)

External links

• The website of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem